True Colors: Decoding Bird Plumage

The brilliant colors of bird feathers can help them stand out, or even blend in.

The striking colors of birds aren’t just for our viewing pleasure. Every hue, stripe and spot serves a vital purpose. There two main reasons for their colorful bird feathers and markings. First, birds use their colors to attract mates and intimidate competition. And second, they use them to provide protection from predators.

When we look at birds, the colors we see aren’t always what they seem. Bird plumage colors are a result of either pigment or from the light reflecting off feathers. For example, bluebirds, indigo buntings and blue jays are not really blue. The color we see is the light reflecting off their brown feathers. Fortunately for the birds, some predators do not see the same bright-blue reflections as we do. So they remain protected. This is the same reason why a bluebird in heavy shade will not look blue.

When it comes to courtship, we know that it is the females of most species that select their mates, so the color and intensity of the male’s plumage can influence a female’s choice. Think about the northern cardinal. The male catches the eye of the female with his brilliant red color. She selects him as a mate, and her subtler tan and reddish coloring camouflages her when she’s nesting. Why, then, is the male not conspicuous to such predators as the sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks? Some scientists believe that hawks don’t see some red hues as well as female cardinals do. So the male’s flashy feathers may not stand out to hawks, but they still attract a mate.

When mating season ends, bird plumage sometimes changes to help it blend in, like that of this American Goldfinch. Marty Gordner

Less colorful birds, such as sparrows, woodcocks, whip-poor-wills and sandpipers, are marked to blend in with their habitat. Their streaks, stripes, bars, spots and lines look so much like their surroundings that they are almost impossible for us to see. If you ever find the nest of a killdeer, meadowlark or mallard duck, you will know what I mean. They blend into their backgrounds perfectly. I remember flushing a whip-poor-will from her nest on a forest floor covered with dead leaves. Two days later, I returned to the site to photograph the bird on her nest, but I could not find her. It wasn’t until I stared directly at the bird for several minutes that her black eye popped out at me. I was shocked by how well it was camouflaged.

The brilliant colors some birds display during the nesting season tend to be muted when they molt into their fall and winter plumages. The bright yellow of a male American goldfinch, for example, becomes an olive-brown from late summer until the following spring. In fact, the goldfinches look so different in winter that many people believe they are a different species.

Bird plumage colors are definitely a science. Some might be brighter than others, but they all relate to their survival.

In the wintery northeast, ANY bird coloration, even if subtle, is appreciated & enjoyed around the feeding station, but that flash of bright scarlet when Mr. Cardinal comes around is especially beautiful~

Years ago I saw some birds in our yard. I couldn’t ID them for a while. It wasn’t until I saw these birds with some mottled yellow on them that I realized that they must be the American Goldfinches! I read about them and, sure enough, they molt into this olive-brown for the winter and then molt back to the bright yellow we know them to be in the Spring!

The article says hawks may not see the red color that the female cardinals see, but I think otherwise. If you observe the cardinals feeding habit at the feeder, they are the very first ones to show up before sunrise and the last ones after the sun goes down. They must be aware that their bright plumage can attract preys during the brighter daylight hours

I don’t agree. My cardinals show up at the feeder any time of day but mostly they are the last one’s to eat before dark. Never notice them in the early mornings tho. Many times I will see the male in it’s beautiful red feathers but will not see a female at the same feeding. Rarely do I see them together during this time of year here in Ky.

Just noticed late last night that a cardinal is apparently roosting for the night in one of my holly trees beside my front door. Just happened to be at a perfect angle to c him otherwise he is well hidden – had noticed them there during the day many times but did not realize they had made it their home. LOVE having them. We r n central Arkansas. We really enjoy & try to provide for the many different birds here.